Introducing our Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta recipe – a zesty fusion of Tex-Mex and Italian flavors! With tender chicken, smoky chipotle peppers, and creamy pasta, this dish is a quick and delicious option for any night of the week. Say goodbye to bland dinners and hello to a flavorful culinary adventure!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Spicy Delight: The spicy chipotle pasta adds a smoky kick, perfect for spice lovers.
- One-Pot Meal: This recipe combines protein, carbs, and veggies all in one pot.
- Fast and Flavorful: The Instant Pot ensures quick cooking of spicy chicken chipotle pasta without sacrificing taste or texture.
📋 Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Cut into 1" Chunks: This lean protein cooks quickly and absorbs the spicy chipotle sauce and adobo flavors beautifully, providing a hearty, savory component to the pasta.
- Penne Pasta: Its hollow center and ridges are perfect for catching and holding onto the spicy, creamy sauce.
- Adobo Sauce: Lends a deep smoky flavor and heat that forms the backbone of the chipotle pasta's unique taste profile.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the heat and enhance the overall flavors of the dish.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients and bring balance to the dish.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onions, garlic, and chicken, they add richness and help meld the flavors together.
- Honey: A little sweetness to counteract the heat of the chipotle and adobo, honey also helps create a beautiful caramelization on the chicken.
- Chipotle Pepper Sauce: Provides the signature smoky heat that makes chipotle pasta so distinctive and delicious.
- Yellow Bell Pepper & Red Bell Pepper: Add a pop of color, a hint of sweetness, and a satisfying crunch, all while boosting the dish's nutritional value.
- Heavy Cream: Gives the pasta sauce a luxurious, velvety texture that beautifully coats every piece of penne and chicken.
- Diced Yellow Onion & Minced Garlic: The aromatic base of many dishes, these two add a depth of flavor that complements the smoky heat of the adobo and chipotle.
- Frozen Peas & Fresh Thin Asparagus: Add a fresh, slightly sweet contrast to the heat, and their quick cooking time makes them an easy addition.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the hot pasta, adding a salty, umami flavor that rounds out the dish perfectly.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Honey Glazed Chicken: Serves as an optional ingredient in this spicy chicken pasta, offering a customizable twist for those seeking to balance the spicy chipotle with a hint of sweetness.
- Chicken Thighs: Using boneless skinless chicken thighs in your Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta recipe adds a richer flavor and more tenderness to the dish, enhancing the overall savory notes.
- Cream Sauce: Adds richness and can replace or complement heavy cream, blending with chipotle sauce for creamy heat. Add it in the final Instant Pot steps for a smooth finish.
🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta?
Step One: Press the saute button and then press the adjust button to set saute to "less".
Step Two: In a bowl, add your chicken, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and let sit as you cook the rest of the dish.
Step Three: Once it displays hot, add the butter and melt. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until just translucent.
Step Four: Add your garlic and toss to combine. Remove the pepper mixture and set to the side.
Step Five: Now add your olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and brown the chicken on both sides. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
Step Six: Add in the honey and stir, cooking an additional 5 seconds. Remove the chicken mixture and set to the side.
Step Seven: Add 1 ½ cups of water to the Instant Pot. Now add 8 oz penne pasta, 2 tbsp. Of adobo sauce and chopped asparagus. Do not stir, especially if your Instant Pot model gives the Burn Message.
Step Eight: Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Step Nine: Quick-release the pressure by manually moving (be careful) the pressure valve from the sealing to the venting position.
Step Ten: Open the pot, add the chicken mixture, and stir everything together.
Step Eleven: Press the saute button. Add in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir.
Step Twelve: Top with cilantro and serve your delicious Chipotle Chicken Pasta.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Chicken: For tender and juicy chicken, consider marinating it in lime juice and spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking to infuse it with extra flavor and tenderness.
- Finish with Freshness: Stir in fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to cooked pasta to brighten up the dish and add a fresh zing.
💭 FAQs
Store any leftover spicy chipotle chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring it's cooled to room temperature before storing. Consume within 3-4 days for the best taste and safety.
For extended storage, allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to a labeled freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring proper sealing to maintain flavor and texture.
To make it milder, use less chipotle peppers or adobo sauce, and add more cream or cheese to balance the heat. For extra spice, mix in red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
Penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work best because they hold onto the creamy chipotle sauce well. However, you can use any pasta you prefer.
Yes! Cook the pasta and sauce separately, then mix before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of milk or cream to restore the creamy texture.
Great additions include sautéed bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, corn, or black beans. You can also top it with avocado, cilantro, or cotija cheese for a Mexican-inspired twist.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite sides to serve with Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta:
- Fluffy Rice: Fluffy rice complements the smoky flavors of chipotle chicken pasta.
- Black Bean Corn Salad: Charred corn mixed with black beans, tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro adds a sweet crunch to balance the dish.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Buttery garlic breadsticks provide the perfect opportunity for sopping up the rich chipotle-infused sauce.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 500 g Penne Pasta
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 14 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoon Honey
- 1 bottle Chipotle Pepper Sauce
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 12 Onion
- 1 tbs Minced Garlic
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 1 pound Asparagus
- 2 Cups Parmesan Cheese Shredded
Instructions
- Press the saute button and then press the adjust button to set saute to “less”.
- In a bowl, add your chicken, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and let sit as you cook the rest of the dish.
- Once it displays hot, add the butter and melt. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until just translucent.
- Add your garlic and toss to combine. Remove the pepper mixture and set to the side.
- Now add your olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and brown the chicken on both sides. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the honey and stir, cooking an additional 5 seconds. Remove the chicken mixture and set to the side.
- Add 1 ½ cups of water to the Instant Pot. Now add 8 oz penne pasta, 2 tbsp. Of adobo sauce and chopped asparagus. Do not stir, especially if your Instant Pot model gives the Burn Message.
- Close the pot with its lid. Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure by manually moving (be careful) the pressure valve from the sealing to the venting position.
- Open the pot, add the chicken mixture, and stir everything together.
- Press the saute button. Add in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir.
- Top with cilantro and serve your delicious Chipotle Chicken Pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
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